Abstract

Development of antifilarial drug from the natural sources is considered as one of the most efficacious, safe, and affordable approaches. In this study, we report the antifilarial activity of a leguminous plant Cajanus scarabaeoides (L.) Thouars. The polyphenol-rich ethanolic extract obtained from the stem part of the plant C. scarabaeoides (EECs) was found to be efficient in killing the filarial nematode Setaria cervi in all the three developmental stages viz. oocytes, microfilariae (Mf) and adults with LD50 values of 2.5, 10 and 35 μg/ml, respectively. While studying the molecular mechanism of action, we found that induction of oxidative stress plays the key role in inducing the mortality in S. cervi. The redox imbalance finally results in activation of the nematode CED pathway that executes the death of the parasite. Intriguingly, EECs was found to be selectively active against the worm and absolutely non-toxic to the mammalian cells and tissues. Taken together, our experimental data demonstrate that C. scarabaeoides can be chosen as an affordable natural therapeutic for treating filarial infection in the future with high efficacy and less toxicity.

Highlights

  • Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is known to be a potential threat to the people residing in the tropics and subtropics

  • Whilst studying the possible chemo-profiling in the active ethanolic extract of C. scarabaeoides, we found an abundance of polyphenolic compounds such as gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid and flavonoids like catechin, rutin, quercetin etc. (Fig 1)

  • It is expected that antifilarial activity of the crude extract can be improved if the total polyphenolic content is optimized

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Summary

Introduction

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is known to be a potential threat to the people residing in the tropics and subtropics. It is still posing its superiority over decades [1]. 856 million people in 52 countries are threatened by lymphatic filariasis and require potent therapeutics [1]. The available chemotherapies include diethylcarbamazine citrate, albendazole, and ivermectin, but their efficacy is limited to microfilarial stage only [2]. Resistance to such synthetic drugs is a serious concern [3].

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